Pacific Herring Fishery Management Plan Notice of Preparation and Scoping Meeting for the Environmental Impacts Document

CDFW photo

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and California Fish and Game Commission are preparing a Pacific Herring (Clupea pallasii) Fishery Management Plan. CDFW, assisting the Commission under its certified regulatory program, has prepared an initial study, detailed project description, and a preliminary analysis of the environmental impacts pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act.

CDFW is inviting interested members of the public to attend a scoping meeting on August 25, 2018 at the Bay Model Visitor’s Center, 2100 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA from 10:00 a.m. to noon. The meeting is being held to solicit comments on the environmental impacts of the proposed project and answer questions related to plan development.

The public comment period for this project is from August 17, 2018 through September 21, 2018. Comments may also be submitted by email to CDFW Environmental Scientist Ryan Bartling or by letter to:

Draft Marine Protected Area Monitoring Action Plan Available for Public Review

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is pleased to announce that the draft Marine Protected Area (MPA) Monitoring Action Plan (Action Plan) is now available online. Public comments can be submitted on the Action Plan and Action Plan appendices by email at R7MPA@wildlife.ca.gov until August 16, 2018.

Quantitative and expert informed approaches to long-term monitoring have been under development since the start of baseline monitoring to describe conditions inside and outside MPAs. The draft Action Plan, developed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Public Input Requested to Guide the Future of the Ocean Resources Enhancement and Hatchery Program

Juvenile White Seabass in a pen
HSWRI photo

California Sea Grant recently submitted a final independent scientific evaluation of the Ocean Resources Enhancement and Hatchery Program (OREHP) to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). The evaluation team concluded that the OREHP has made groundbreaking progress in developing hatchery-rearing and enhancement practices and systems for marine species. However, it has not substantially increased the abundance of White Seabass, with a less than one percent contribution to the wild White Seabass fishery over the last 30 years.

Final 2017 Commercial Landings Reports Now Available

Commercial gillnetter with a deck full of Pacific Herring.
CDFW photo

The Final California Commercial Landings report for 2017 has been posted to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website. The report consists of summary tables that provide landings information by month, by port, and by area of California.

2017 commercial passenger fishing vessel (party/charter boat) landings have also been posted in summary table form.

As Crab Season Ends, Time to Collect Gear

Commercial crab traps
CDFW photo by C. Juhasz

With the end of the season less than a month away, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) reminds Dungeness crab fishermen that all gear must be removed from the water by the last day of the season. The commercial and recreational fishing seasons close south of the Sonoma/Mendocino county line on Saturday, June 30. North of the Sonoma/Mendocino county line the commercial season closes on Sunday, July 15, while the recreational season closes on Monday, July 30.

The reminder is part of an effort to clear coastal waters of Dungeness crab traps in a timely manner